Focus on what matters. Actress Mandy Moore responded to critics demanding answers about the fate of Milo Ventimiglia’s character on This Is Us following this week’s season finale.
The final episode of NBC’s lauded drama aired on Tuesday, March 14, and contrary to popular belief, producers did not reveal how family patriarch Jack Pearson passed away. Instead, the season came to a close with a shocking fight between Jack and Rebecca, leaving fans befuddled about the couple’s seemingly-resolute relationship.
THIS IS US — “Moonshadow” Episode118 — Pictured: (l-r) Milo Ventimiglia as Jack, Mandy Moore as Rebecca — (Photo by: Ron Batzdorff/NBC)
Amid backlash, Moore and Ventimiglia both publicly defended the ongoing storyline.
“Jack is an optimist. He is going to, in the darkest days, let everyone know that he’s going to get them through it, no matter what, and he’ll fight and kick and claw to do that, because that is his existence — the Pearson family, his kids and his wife Rebecca,” Ventimiglia told Entertainment Weekly this week. “They are him, and he’s nothing without them… Jack leads with his heart. He’s all heart. He doesn’t always have the words, it takes him a moment sometimes to have those words.”
Moore, meanwhile, took to Instagram on Wednesday to defend her co-star. “I stand in awe of this friend of mine,” she wrote, alongside a selfie with Ventimiglia. “He is the ultimate partner in crime and he absolutely knocked it out of the park on every level in last night’s finale. I am the luckiest. Can’t believe we have 18 behind us and at least 36 ahead, Mi. Wow. And for those somehow frustrated with the finale not revealing how Jack passed, I would encourage patience. Otherwise you might be watching the wrong show. Last night was fundamental to the bigger picture. The story deviated and ultimately landed on (I think) a more compelling question… what was the state of this relationship in the end? And as Milo so eloquently stated, let’s focus on how the man lived! Stay tuned cause it’s all leading somewhere and we’re just getting started.”
The on-screen spouses have remained adorably supportive of each other throughout the season. The Knot revealed photos last month of Jack and Rebecca’s city hall wedding ceremony.
According to the stars, the show is taking a realistic approach to marriage. “Maybe they’ll want to go watch some repeats of happier times? They’re a human couple,” Ventimiglia told The Hollywood Reporter in a separate interview. They’re a couple just like anyone else. They’re going to have their struggles and we’re now seeing the absolute toughest moments that they’re faced with. But if we learn anything from this show, it’s that there is light in a dark room. So take that in and hopefully we see them come together … With the ticking clock of Jack’s death.”
Moore added to THR: “I need some words of comfort, too! Ultimately, I love that this show forces people to hold a mirror up to their own lives and the choices that they’ve made. I love that it really pushes that nostalgia button in a way; it’s the perfect note to end the season on. It gives people a lot of time to think and I don’t think the impact of what happens at the end diminishes in time. I don’t know what to say to comfort people … She wears her necklace! She still wears the moon necklace, so that has to mean something, right?”
